I CAN! Challenge

What is the I Can! Challenge?

You probably know someone who can benefit from improving their health –
perhaps it’s your patient, a friend, a family member, an employee – or perhaps
it’s you. No matter whom it is, joining Aligning Forces for Quality – South
Central PA’s I Can! Challenge will give you the direction and support to make it
work.

The I Can! Challenge is a 12-week program that focuses on people taking control
of their diabetes and/or heart disease by:

partnering with their health care team

becoming more knowledgeable about their condition, and

making positive changes to their daily lives.

All the tools to complete the Challenge are right here on our website. The
tools will show you how to set goals, work with your doctor, eat healthy, fit
physical activity into your schedule and more! Our expert advice will guide you
step-by-step and our I Can! Challenge Facebook page will encourage you along the
way.

When it comes to improving your health, take control and step up to the
challenge - say, "I Can!"

What are the weekly Challenges?

Over the course of the 12 weeks, you will focus on:

setting goals

reducing stress

fitting physical activity into your lifestyle

visits with your doctor

what questions to ask your doctor

improving eating out habits

understanding your condition

and more!

Each week will give you an overview of why that challenge is important.
You’ll have lists of resources available, as well as worksheets to better
understand the challenge and accomplish the week’s activities.

Does it really work?

Since the I Can! Challenge started in 2009, Challengers have broken old habits,
formed new routines, and changed their lives. Below are real testimonials from
individuals who have successfully completed the Challenge, as well as doctors
who’ve encouraged their patients along the way.

“As doctors, we talk about self-management support
for chronic conditions. The I Can! Challenge is the perfect way for patients to
manage and take ownership of their health, but in a fun, interactive way. Plus
by being part of a group setting, participants are motivated by each other. I’ve
referred many patients to the Challenge because I think it offers so many
benefits – it brings together everything they need to know in a very cool way.”
- Chris Echterling, M.D. of York Hospital Community Health Center

Dee, an I Can! Challenge participant said she’s gained the confidence that was
missing in her past attempts to become healthier. “After starting the I Can!
Challenge, I felt a lot more optimistic that, this time, it’s going to work.
It’s given me the motivation I needed, plus it made me be responsible for my
health again,” she said.

“The I Can! Challenge is different from any other
program I’ve tried. It encompasses exercise, eating out, and lots of tips for
improving my health; I love it!” said Gettysburg participant Marion.

You can also watch the 5 original Challengers on video, and see how they put
their lives in front of the camera and showed thousands what the I Can!
Challenge is all about. Watch the Challengers week by week and learn how it
impacted them by visiting Aligning Forces for Quality’s YouTube page.

How do I get started?

No matter what you've tried in the past, you CAN make the changes you need to
feel better and be healthier! There are two ways to get started, so choose which
one will work best for you!

Classroom Challenge: The classroom Challenge is available in Gettysburg
and York, three times per year. Each class has up to 15 individuals working
together to improve their diabetes and/or heart disease. You’ll have access
to one-on-one interaction with health experts each week, and an ongoing
support system. To sign up for a classroom Challenge, call 1-866-997-ICAN
(1-866-997-4226). A minimal fee will be charged to participate in the
classroom challenge, but the money will be returned if you successfully
complete the 12-week program.

Individually: If you prefer to take the Challenge on your own, or
with your own group of supporters, simply follow our step-by-step guide and
workbook. Download the entire Challenge Guide and Challenge Workbook now.
(If you have difficulty downloading the documents, you may be using an
outdated version of Adobe® Acrobat® Reader. You may download a current
version free of charge here.)

Can an Employer, Organization or Health Care Practice hold a Challenge?

Regardless of whether you're a health care practice, church, association, large
company, retail store, or small business, you too can take part in the I Can!
Challenge! Being involved won't cost you money, or much time. We provide the
tools and even ideas on how to lead and motivate your team.

I want to form an I Can! team.
Anyone can form an I Can! Challenge team. Whether you're a trained health coach
leading the way, or a motivated, stay-at-home mom who wants to lead a
neighborhood group, all of the tools and instructions for forming and leading a
team are available for you.

Teams can be led by a trained health coach (similar to a personal life coach).
The health coach may be a trained health care professional on staff or from
outside the organization. Or, teams can be led by a motivated employee who is
not a

trained health coach – and that’s okay! Simply use our Team Leader Tool Kit to
motivate members, and use our suggested agendas and activities for each week.
You can even print I Can! Challenge posters to encourage individuals to join!

I want to recognize employees or members who’ve joined the Challenge.
We’ve come up with a few ways you can recognize your employees or members for
joining the Challenge – or perhaps incentives to get them to take that extra
step! Download our ideas here.

I want to get involved; however, I don’t want to form a team.
There’s more than one way to get involved! Download this PDF to see what ideas
we have for incorporating the Challenge into your organization. But, feel free
to change it up!

How Can I Share My Challenge Story?

Whether you’re two weeks in, or finished with the Challenge, we want to know
your feelings on it. What was your experience with the Challenge like? Was it
difficult, easy, or somewhere in between? Did you overcome barriers you never
thought you would? Has your life and health improved? What advice do you have
for others with similar conditions?

What other resources do you have for me?

Have you visited our Patients section of the site? Understand more about
being an engaged patient, browse the Community Checkup, learn about other
programs to participate in, and download more resources to improve your care.

Use the additional resources below to keep you moving forward in improving your health!

Have diabetes or heart disease? Join the 12-week, step-by-step program to help you learn how to set goals, partner with your doctor, and incorporate healthy eating and exercise into your life. Like I Can! on Facebook!